Weymouth town council hears Tri-Town’s case

The Weymouth Town Council met Monday night with officials of the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corp. to discuss the stalled Southfield project. Tri-Town board Chairman Joseph Connolly said representatives of the project’s master developer, Starwood Land Ventures, have refused to meet with Tri-Town to discuss ideas for moving the project forward.

WEYMOUTH – For more than three hours, officials from the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corp. made their case against legislation to revise plans to develop SouthField.

Tri-Town board Chairman Joseph Connolly told the town council Monday night that Tri-Town is willing talk with developer Starwood Land Ventures about ways to move the project forward, but the feeling isn't mutual.

"The truth is that Tri-Town has suggested changes to help the developer," Connolly said. "The developer has refused to meet with Tri-Town to discuss these solutions."

He said the sole objective of Tri-Town's board of directors is to protect the towns of Weymouth, Rockland and Abington and the plans they have agreed to on the redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station.

Jeff Wall, who, along with Connolly, represents Weymouth on the board, agreed that changes are needed.

"We're looking to move this project forward," Wall said. "This is not a roadblock."

James Wilson, Tri-Town's chief financial officer, said they have seen no new development plans for the project in the past year.

"The development has stalled," he said.

Wilson said they have referred four companies looking for commercial space to the developer, but they never heard back.

Under Starwood's proposed changes, Weymouth would have to take over a $12.5 million loan made to Tri-Town. The company also wants the state to assume responsibility for finishing a parkway that runs through the property. The developer also wants to drop a requirement that it include a golf course in the development or contribute $1 million for other open space.

Council members also placed some of the blame on Tri–Town, especially when it comes to resolving who should provide water to future phases of the development.

"Nothing is going forward without a water source," Town Councilor Michael Molisse said.

Town Councilor June Hackett said Tri-Town hasn't addressed problems with its governance. She pointed out that while much of the development is in Weymouth, the town only has two of the five seats on the board of directors.

Town Councilor Brian McDonald felt Southfield residents should also have a seat.